18. Unwelcome Guests #2
Inside, I felt so torn, like I was being both the worst mate and friend of all time.
When they weren’t goading Dakota, they were some of the people I loved best in the world.
Angel adored them and didn’t see what it was doing to her bear father to follow them around.
She hardly asked for him and each time she reached for Trey, I could see something inside him die a little.
The kitchen was empty when I extricated myself from my mate’s arms, leaving our comfortable bed to head downstairs.
He and his bear were clinging on tighter with what they saw as a threat in their territory.
I’d broached the subject of the length of their visit, but Grady had changed the subject.
Both of my friends were being evasive, and I hated it.
I started some pancakes for Dakota. He’d said how much he loved mine and I wanted to bring him breakfast in bed as a special treat for being so patient.
I was just plating up the heart-shaped pancakes, a bowl of strawberries and syrup all ready to go, when Trey came downstairs.
His eyes lit up at the tray that was nearly finished. I glowered at him. “Not for you.”
“What? Why not?” He rested a hand on his chest, face all indignant.
“You know why.” I told him, eyebrow raised, waiting for him to lie.
He quit the look, slumping into a seat at the counter. “Fair. He’s not all bad, you know.”
“I do know, since he’s my mate. The Luna picked him for me, Trey. She knew what she was doing.”
“We’re just looking out for you.”
“Well, you can look out for Angel today instead. I’m taking my mate on a date. Best get some dates in before this one comes.” I rubbed my expanding belly. At eight weeks, I was a third of the way through now and growing more excited by the day.
“We’ll entertain Red, no problem. You two go off and have a great day.
Maybe do some baby shopping and pick things out?
” His one-eighty almost gave me whiplash, and he laughed at my expression.
“Even I can see how well he treats you. That man adores you. Wouldn’t have put up with us this long otherwise. ”
“Speak for yourself. I’m a fucking delight,” Grady said, coming downstairs to join his mate. “Oh! Pancakes!”
“Get your own.” I said, whisking the tray away from his grabby hands.
Their laughter followed me as I made my way carefully upstairs. Only me. I warned over the bond as I pushed over the door.
Dakota’s eyes lit up when he saw me. Me and not the breakfast I was carrying. That he didn’t seem to notice. How couldn’t I have realized before how much my mate loved me? Because that was love in his expression. His eyes sparkled, his lips lifted in a smile, just for me. Goddess, I loved him too.
I love you, Dakota. You are the most perfect mate anyone could wish for. I set the tray on the bed next to his legs.
He gaped at me. Really?
Sitting down on the bed, I reached for him.
I loved the difference between our hands.
His large and slightly calloused, with hair dotting the knuckles.
Not pretty hands, but gentle despite their strength in everything to do with me and our family.
I do. I’m going to tell you every day to make sure you believe it.
Tears lined his beautiful, dark eyes. I love you too, Jasper. I just never thought—
What?
He looked down at our joined hands, fingers intertwined. At first, I felt like I was the safe option. You got pregnant, so it was easier to be with me. This last week you’ve felt like you were on my side. It was us versus them. I know they’re your friends—
I know what you mean. I think it really made it real for me.
Seeing how you were, even when you were being judged and criticized.
You are so easy to love, my gentle bear.
I leaned down and kissed each of his fingertips.
When you’re ready, I’d like to properly bond with you.
We have the whole day, so we can go out first—
Let’s bond now. I don’t want to wait any longer.
Really?
Close the door. They don’t get to hear this. Dakota moved the tray over to the empty side of the bed while I shut and locked the door. If Angel needed us, then she’d have to find Grady and Trey instead. She was theirs today.
I scrambled into his lap with a little assistance, my tiny bump already putting my center of balance off. The grin Dakota gave me when I settled was worth it, though.
He helped me remove my shirt and traced a finger over the place where his mark would go. “Are you sure?” He asked, switching to speaking aloud.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything than I am of you.
” Leaning forward, I brushed a kiss over his lips.
“I may have moved in because of the baby, but it was just an excuse to move things forward. I was stuck, didn’t know how to make up for all I’d done.
The rejecting you, running away. This is what I want.
” I clasped his hand over my heart. “Our bond. Our family.”
As one, we moved close, laying our lips on opposite sides where the neck met the shoulder.
I gave an experimental lick, then bit hard and fast. The tang of his blood hit my tongue as he struck.
A brief sharp pain and then our bond was whole.
I had a sense of our animals’ meeting like they had when we’d shifted together. A sense of home and love.
I love you, mate. Dakota’s voice sounded more like himself. This was the mate bond, so I felt his amazement and joy along with hearing his thoughts.
And I love you too, my mate.
Our lips met again, the taste of our blood mingling as he plundered my mouth, hands roaming bare skin. I tweaked one of his nipples and smiled at his groan, then sank into the kiss.
His arms wound around me and he shifted our position, so I was under him, completely surrounded by my bear mate. I got lost in the sensation of him. Drunk off his kisses and touches until it wasn’t enough. More, I demanded over our bond. Blissed out to have that. He was mine forever.
Yours, he echoed. He worked my sleep pants off and reached for my cock, stroking it in slow movements.
In me.
I felt his hardness against my leg and desperately wanted it inside me, stretching me, filling me up with him until I didn’t know where I began and he ended.
He had to have felt some of that down our bond because Dakota slipped a hand down to my ass, squeezing the cheeks and then running a finger down my crack.
I was wet for him. Had been since his bite. “Now!” My voice cracked as I pleaded.
“We have to get you ready. I don’t want to hurt you.”
The goddess had blessed my mate in the dick department. I loved it. Being stretched around his cock was heavenly. Yet, even with my natural lubrication, I still needed some stretching to accommodate him. “Quickly! I want the burn.”
He kissed me hard as he eased two thick fingers inside me with quick, deep thrusts, his knuckles feeling delicious. He scissored them and that was it for me, all I could take. My orgasm was already building embarrassingly fast.
“Now, Kota.”
Without even wasting time to take his sleep shorts off properly, he freed his dick, pushed my legs back, shoved a pillow under my hips, then eased inside me with a long sigh. “Fuck, you always feel so amazing.”
His movements started out shallow and slow until he felt my muscles properly relax around him.
Then he rocked into me, deeper and harder, as we panted into each other’s mouths.
Sweat slicked our skin, but I grasped any part of him I could to keep me grounded in this perfect moment.
Our eyes met as he repeatedly nailed my prostate, making me gasp.
I felt his love. The complete adoration as he filled me just right.
I wished for it to last forever, but I’d already been close before it had begun.
My release came barreling through me. My cry was loud in the quiet room.
Dakota pumped his hips harder and deeper, grinding into me with each thrust. I felt the stretch of his knot forming and sighed. “So good,” I slurred.
Heat filled my channel as Dakota came, burying his growl in my neck. I love you. His voice was wrecked even over the bond.
Love you too, my bear.
We lay in the aftermath of our bonding and gave each other gentle kisses as I sprawled over him.
My fingers traced over the tattoo I’d seen countless times just above his armpit, easily hidden by clothes.
I finally broached the subject I’d been avoiding since I’d first seen it. “Is this for Cooper?”
“It is. Does it bother you?” he asked softly.
Truthfully, it didn’t. I understood its significance. “No. It’s lovely.” I brushed my fingers over the tiny bear curled into a C drawn in a flowing font. There were stars and a crescent moon. It was a beautiful tribute to the boy that he had loved.
“Really?” He strained his head up to catch my eyes.
“Absolutely. Cooper is a part of us. He taught you how to love and how to be an excellent mate.”
Dakota smiled. “Just when I think I can’t love you any more than I do, you go and show me I’m wrong. You are just perfect, you know.”
“Oh, I know.”
“What about this crib?” Dakota asked as the salesperson stood by, watching us debate furniture choices.
“That’s cute, too,” then mentally added. It looks just like the others.
I felt his exasperation. The thing was, I was tired after hours of shopping.
We had some much needed maternity clothes for me since I was struggling to fit a lot of my clothes already.
There were far more outfits for the baby in our bags in yellows and greens that were utterly adorable.
It was possible that we had gone completely overboard with the shopping. Even Angel had new things.
“Excuse my mate, he’s just a little hangry. Lunch was a while ago.”
It took a lot of effort not to roll my eyes at him. He was probably right. I wanted to get off my feet, too.
“Oh, that’s fine. It’s a big decision. Why don’t you try one of those delicious pastries at the bakery over there? They make wonderful iced drinks that are perfect for this heat. Thank goodness for A/C, right?” The salesperson suggested.
I gave them a grateful look. “That sounds wonderful, thank you. We’ll discuss it and come back after.”
We wandered over to the bakery, placed our order, and settled at a table inside the cute shop.
The A/C was blasting, the July heat outside oppressive.
Dakota studied the pamphlets they had given us and I looked at him.
I felt such a rush of love for him, some of it moving down the bond.
His head snapped up, and he grinned before making room for our food.
We thanked our server before digging in. Dakota smirked at my moans as I tasted the apple turnover I’d chosen. The flavor was both sweet and tangy. I remember you making that noise as you were stuck on my cock earlier. I coughed, nearly inhaling the pastry. He laughed.
Evil bear.
It wasn’t long before our food was finished and we were ready to go back to the store. We got outside into the blazing sun when my phone rang. “It’s Grady, hold up.”
My visions sparked for the first time in months. Flashes of bedridden friends. Illness. Being alone. Keep away was the sense that I got. The goddess didn’t want me near Grady. I answered the call voice wary, “hey, Grady, everything okay?”
“Angel is sick. I think Trey is too. Both of them have fevers. Red said she had a sore head and went to have a nap. She took so long to wake, Jas. I was so scared. Now Trey is burning up.”
“Are you okay? Do you need us to come home?”
“You can’t come here! I think it’s the sickness. The beta sickness. Swear you won’t come!” His voice was frantic. Words speeding out of him.
“Grady?”
“A baby died.” I felt his sorrow down the phone. “The omega was fine, but she lost the baby. You can’t come home, Jas. I just hope it isn’t too late. Please, goddess!” He wheezed and coughed.
“I don’t understand.” I said the words, but the picture was forming. My family was sick and I couldn’t return to the house. The rumors of a beta sickness, of deaths, were true.
The beta sickness had hit the Sweetwater pack.